13/01/2026
Hundreds of people have reportedly been killed in a sweeping crackdown on anti-government protests in Iran, as authorities respond with lethal force to demonstrations that have spread nationwide. Among the dead are a young sports coach and a university student, both described by relatives as peaceful and full of promise.
Amir Mohammad Koohkan, 26, an indoor futsal coach and referee, was shot with live ammunition on 3 January during protests in the town of Neyriz, according to a friend who spoke to BBC Persian. “Everyone knew him for his kindness,” the friend said, adding that his family is grieving and angry because he was “killed by the regime.” Koohkan was known locally as someone who could not tolerate seeing others suffer.
Five days later in Tehran, 23-year-old student Rubina Aminian was shot from behind during a protest, according to multiple human rights groups. Her uncle told CNN she was “thirsty for freedom” and women’s rights. Her family reportedly had to search through hundreds of bodies to identify her, and were later blocked from holding a public funeral.
Rights groups say nearly 500 protesters and dozens of security personnel have been killed in just two weeks. Demonstrations that began over economic hardship on 28 December have spread to 186 cities across all 31 provinces. What started as economic anger has grown into open calls for the end of the Ayatollah's rule, with protesters chanting for days about the return of the Shah.
Hospitals have been overwhelmed with the dead and injured, while arrests exceed 10,000. With internet shutdowns and foreign media barred, much remains hidden. Still, the pattern is clear to many Iranians: a ruthless government willing to kill its own people to stay in power.